"New FamilySearch" integration now available in Legacy Family Tree 7.4 (public pre-release)
January 31, 2010
We have a great new update for you to download. This update has been several years in the making and for those with a "New FamilySearch" account you will be especially excited.
Watch the video
We've published a few videos showing you all about the new FamilySearch tools. Visit www.legacyfamilytree.com/fs.asp and click on the links in the Video Tutorials section.
Who should install this update?
Everyone. This update includes much more than the new FamilySearch integration features. Since our last update we've added several minor enhancements and fixed bugs that you've reported.
This update is free
There is no cost for this update. If you've already installed Legacy 7.0 (standard or deluxe editions) just follow the update instructions below. The FamilySearch tools are included in both the free standard edition and the deluxe edition. If you do not yet have Legacy Family Tree, and you want to utilize the FamilySearch tools, you can download either edition.
What's New
New FamilySearch integration. We've written about this many times. Click here if you've missed the articles.
- Version 7.4 includes a special "pre-release" edition of our New FamilySearch integration tools which lets users: 1) Match their Legacy individuals with FamilySearch individuals, 2) Combine potential duplicates that exist at FamilySearch, 3) View the real-time ordinance status of individuals
- After installing the update, you will be asked if you want to turn on the FamilySearch integration tools. At this time only LDS members should say yes (FamilySearch accounts are currently restricted to members of the LDS church while they conclude their testing).
- The FamilySearch tools have been officially certified by FamilySearch, but the tools are still in "pre-release mode". This means that 1) not all of the features that we want to implement are available, but we want you to get started (the rest of the features will be released in version 7.5) and 2) there are still a few minor (non-critical) bugs to resolve.
Before installing the update...
As with any new update, we encourage all users to make a backup of their family file. Do this before installing the update. It's pretty simple. Just go to File > Backup Family File.
Join our LegacyFS mailing list
If you have questions, suggestions, or just want to discuss the new FamilySearch features, subscribe to our new mailing list at http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyFSList.asp.
How to Update
Instructions for Deluxe Edition users
All you have to do is connect to the Internet, start Legacy 7.0, and click on the "Install and Download Now" link on the Legacy Home tab. (If you're reading this from within the Legacy Home tab inside of Legacy 7.0, you'll first need to click on the Home button in the top left of the Legacy Home tab which looks like the following picture:
Instructions for Standard Edition (free edition) users
You will need to visit our website. Go to http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/DownloadUpdate.asp and follow the instructions.
Here's what some of the screens look like (click on the images to enlarge):
Possible Matches:
Possible Duplicates:
Share Data (to be completed in 7.5):
Ordinance Status:
Other Exciting Features:
1) Filter your list in many ways. For example, just show your first four generations and work to complete them.
2) Overall progress. As you complete the tasks (matching, combining, syncing, ordinances) for each person, watch as the progress bar moves closer to 100%. Now you have a manageable project.
3) This is your filtered list of names. The colorful icons show you the status of each task.
4) View the list of tasks for the current person, view and navigate their pedigree, or view additional information about the person.
More information
To learn more about Legacy and New FamilySearch, please visit www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/fs.asp.
Geoff - is there a page somewhere that shows the enhancements and bug fixes in this version that are not related to the New FamilySearch information?
Posted by: Dianne Arnold | January 31, 2010 at 12:31 PM
Yes, the revision history page is at http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/RevisionHistory7.asp
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | January 31, 2010 at 12:37 PM
I amways extremely wary of 'betas' and 'pre-release' issues of any software - what is in this release that is likely to change between now and the 'official' release; what is limited; what is likely to be removed?
Posted by: Stephen Rowe | January 31, 2010 at 05:35 PM
Stephen - we don't plan on removing anything, just fixing some minor bugs and adding enhancements. The Share Data tab is limited, because it won't be operational until 7.5 is released.
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | February 01, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Geoff - how about a tutorial on why someone should want to pull Family Search entries into their own database? After many early mistakes, I'm now very hesitant to "contaminate" my own database with someone else's unvetted research. Are FamilySearch records more reliable than other web postings?
Posted by: Toby Webb | February 01, 2010 at 10:25 AM
Toby - very good point. Since 7.4 does not yet permit the transfer of information back/forth between Legacy and FamilySearch, I didn't include your suggestion in the video. In the Videos section at www.legacyfamilytree.com/fs.asp you'll notice that there's one more video that hasn't yet been published. When 7.5 nears its release date, I will publish this and provide information on the cautions of using FamilySearch data, or any other online data. I wouldn't say the FamilySearch data is any better (and might be a little worse for some individuals). However, all data can provide good clues and FamilySearch can help you get in touch with other researchers.
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | February 01, 2010 at 10:48 AM
In this new integration, will data in Legacy be retrieved from or mutually shared with FamilySearch? Can FamilySearch access data within Legacy?
Posted by: D. L. Baker | February 01, 2010 at 12:17 PM
D.L. - no, this optional feature will be available in 7.5 when it is released. See www.legacyfamilytree.com/fs.asp for full details.
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | February 01, 2010 at 12:21 PM
I can hardly wait for 7.5. I downloaded and installed 7.4 yesterday and it's lightning fast (which is NOT how one would describe working on nFS online) and will definitely give our little Legacy Users Group plenty of fodder for discussion. I did discover that we can still "update legacy record" with ordinance date by switching to "Search IGI" once the nFS interface has located a duplicate.
The only thing I am wondering about - will the nFS interface eventually allow for "background searching" of an entire focus list without having to select each individual? This would be a dream! For then I could set it to searching while I completed some other task :)
Thank you again - I love Legacy!
Posted by: GenQueen | February 02, 2010 at 10:37 AM
GenQueen - yes, I sure hope it will do background searching. I don't know how this will be implemented yet...
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | February 02, 2010 at 01:42 PM
I don't know where to post these general comments about Legacy News....
It would be nice to see the author's name on each article.
The layout of the comments is a little confusing. The line should go across AFTER the poster's name and date.
Posted by: Lori Hamilton | February 02, 2010 at 01:43 PM
I was unable to update from within my Legacy Deluxe 7.0.0.109; it would not get beyond half downloaded and then I had to abort. I have never had that happen before, so after 3 times I finally decided to just download the update from the Legacy site download page and that worked fine. Although the update is compatable with Windows 7, I wonder if that caused a hitch when trying to update from within the program. But it all works now. Thanks.
Posted by: Lianne | February 02, 2010 at 02:34 PM
I also was unable to use the automatic update. The download reported a server fault about halfway when trying to access a file. I didn't catch the name of the file but in three attempts it was always the same one - a txt file, perhaps something about germany/deutchland.
In the end I downloaded a new copy from the legacy site so I now have version 7 and 7.4 on my laptop without any further problems.
Posted by: Paul Mann | February 02, 2010 at 03:29 PM
anyone know When Legacy software be completely compatible with the new Family Search?
Posted by: Lynn Satterthwaite | February 02, 2010 at 06:01 PM
Geoff, When may we Legacy 7.4 users expect to see Version 7.5 released?. ? Since we are not able to yet transfer data back and forth, what is the purpose of releasing version 7.4? Please post any information you may have and keep us posted. I love Legacy 7.0! Thank you!
Posted by: Darrell | February 03, 2010 at 12:56 AM
Darrell - we'll keep you posted on the availability of 7.5 via our blog at www.legacynews.typepad.com and our FamilySearch website at www.legacyfamilytree.com/fs.asp. While you're waiting for the "updating" features, you can begin linking/matching your Legacy persons to FamilySearch persons and combining potential duplicates.
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | February 03, 2010 at 09:48 AM
Lynn, no, we don't have a firm date yet. But we'll keep you updated via our blog at www.legacynews.typepad.com and our FamilySearch site at www.legacyfamilytree.com/fs.asp
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | February 03, 2010 at 09:50 AM
I can't do a thing with the Legacy FamilySearch feature without being asked to login with an LDS number (which I don't have). It loads my database names and information, but won't let me do anything with it.
Did I do something wrong during the installation, or is the new FamilySearch feature unusable by non-LDS members?
When will LDS open their new search to non-LDS researchers?
Please tell me if I am missing something that I **can** do with the new Legacy FamilySearch feature without being an LDS member.
Posted by: Donna | February 05, 2010 at 05:13 PM
At first I kept saying what is taking so long. I mean others have had NFS integration for a little while now. But after I updated to 7.4 I know the reason. Version 7.4 is so much better both in design and function than the others. THANK YOU I cant wait for 7.5.
However in 7.5 will there be anyway to dispute NFS information? I would also like to see author info as well. And how will 7.5 handle sources?
Posted by: James Hopson | February 05, 2010 at 06:39 PM
James - 7.5 will handle disputing and viewing contributors. As far as the exchange of sources goes - FamilySearch still hasn't provided the ability to add or download the sources that are attached to their data. However, any information downloaded to Legacy will be accompanied with a source citing the FamilySearch database correctly.
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | February 08, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Donna - I hear that sometime in 2010 FamilySearch will conclude the testing of their new Family Tree database, which currently is available to LDS members. Once they lift this restriction, the Legacy-FamilySearch tools will be available to all. However, the public can access most of their new databases and tools on their pilot site at http://pilot.familysearch.org
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | February 08, 2010 at 12:21 PM
Question? 7.5 will be listed with Ordinance Reservation prepare for Ordinance Request. But will it have Ordinance Request status were the application needs to request ordinances in order to print the cards?
Also will it have helper status?
Posted by: James Hopson | February 12, 2010 at 09:01 PM
James - yes and yes.
Posted by: Geoff Rasmussen | February 13, 2010 at 06:03 AM
Geoff posted " can't do a thing with the Legacy FamilySearch feature without being asked to login with an LDS number (which I don't have). It loads my database names and information, but won't let me do anything with it.
Did I do something wrong during the installation, or is the new FamilySearch feature unusable by non-LDS members?
When will LDS open their new search to non-LDS researchers?
Please tell me if I am missing something that I **can** do with the new Legacy FamilySearch feature without being an LDS member." ... ... ..... .. I am in the same position I have provided my log in details but received a message saying this version is for church members only ...??
Posted by: Alan Scullion | February 19, 2010 at 07:25 AM